Dear Lord,
As I contemplate my own years of being a child with my mother and then becoming one myself, it brings me to my knees. There’s no better teacher than the Holy Spirit through your own children.
I don’t think I really began to grow until I had to give up all of my time to utterly serve another, another and then another. I give thanks to You for the many mamas who’ve dedicated their lives to You and are raising their young ones to worship You. Those like myself, who had no clue how to raise them in the way of the Lord, we lift them up to You, and ask you to show them how to pray.
I am grateful to You for a second chance, being able to adopt two more and learn all over again. We make our mistakes and come to depend on Your saving grace. Mine are grown with their own children now; so many changes. Some have been good and some not so good, but one thing never changes — we are family.
This life of raising children and then letting them go is hard, but not so hard when we have You to trust in. Keep moving in our hearts to put You first, to love you with all our hearts and minds, and to listen to how You want our children to be raised.
Help mamas today to know that following You is the best way and teaching our children the same will ensure a bright future for all. For the woman who has never bore children or who lost the ones you gave her, bring mending and healing. Show her in Your word Psalm 113:9; You grant the barren woman a home, like a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord. Let her rejoice in the God who has different plans than hers. You always know what’s best for us.
For the mama raising kids with either mental or physical health issues, strengthen her and remind her: Those who persevere get the reward. The reward You bring will be more that worth it if each of us will give you all we have. Help us to cast our cares upon You, for we know how dearly you care for us. Psalm 108:13: “Through God we do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies.”
What’s a mama to do? She brings a sacrifice of praise. She’s been given a new day to serve her family and worship the God who gave her breath. For every struggle or difficulty she goes through, she has a mighty God to thank. You’ve been watching over her and her children to see them safely home. Lord, for those who mourn for their loss, give them your perspective on your plans for eternity.
What’s a mama to do? She comes to the throne of grace to receive mercy in her time of need. She lives her life in such a way that’s pleasing to You and sharing Your love with all she meets, and her children will call her blessed in the city gate.
Help these mamas to know that You have plans for them and their children, not to harm them, but to give them a future and a hope. Pour out Your glory on all the mamas on this special day that celebrates who they are, not so much for what they do. Because of the sacrifice You made for us, help us all to be a willing sacrifice for You, a pleasing aroma to bless You. Build her up and strengthen her to do all the things You’ve called her for, especially training her children in the ways of the Lord.
What’s a mama to do? Love the Lord, of course, and imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. In Jesus’ name, amen.
This column may include both fiction and nonfiction, and views expressed do not necessarily represent those of The SUN. Submissions can be sent to editor@pagosasun.com.
